Contents

1. Introduction

2. What is depression and how is it diagnosed?

2.1 Introduction
2.2 Classification systems
2.3 Difficulties

3. Who gets depressed?

3.1 Introduction
3.2 Residential homes
3.3 Group differences

4. Factors that can increase the risk of depression

4.1 Introduction
4.2 Loss and bereavement
4.3 Loneliness
4.4 Illness
4.5 Poverty
4.6 Depression

5. Protective factors and effective responses

5.1 Protective factors
5.2 Resilience
5.3 Building social networks
5.4 The ‘invisibility’ of depression
5.5 Treatment and responses

6. Understanding the risk of suicide

6.1 Introduction
6.2 Men vs women
6.3 Depression and suicide
6.4 Preventative action
6.5 Effective measures

7. Conclusion

8. References

9. Self-assessment